Tag Archives: personal fulfillment

Provisions and Forages

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In what seems like the blink of the eye, the whole picture has changed out on my wonderful porch. Many days of summer were spent out on it.

Now, one need not look any further than the porch door to see the squirrels foraging for winter.

How about you? Are you beginning to stock the larder with soup and stew makings? Things to keep on hand – basic soup stock or bouillon, dried beans and legumes ,barley and rice. Then there are veggies that hold in a root cellar – carrots, potatoes (russets and sweet), turnips, onions, leeks, shallots for the daintier tasting soups (such as leek and potato) and of course plenty of fresh and dried seasonings. A heavier hand in seasoning brings better results. Something I need to take note of.

Many old-world master paintings as well as many of today’s contemporary artists have chosen to feature items from the pantry or root cellars in their autumn paintings. The fall season has arrived! Enjoy it in your own creative way of living.

Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” ~ Matthew 9:38

 

Beauty on Earth

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Do you ever have to stop and just look for awhile and say “Thank you?”

There is artistry in God’s provisions from the Earth and vine.

 “We all live off his generous bounty, gift after gift after gift.” ~ John 1:16 (MSG)

 

In Our Thirst

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A friend recently stated, “the world is hungry for beauty.” I do believe she is right!  I take refuge in what I value and most appreciate. It’s been said we are products of what we surround ourselves with.

Many of the negative things that are happening in our midst, we can do little about but we can do something about our own personal environment in which we live. When you thirst, draw from your well or reservoir of what lifts your spirit and the spirit of others.

A View of My Writer’s Nest

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Today’s post is not quite as short as a tweet, but its about a sweet little thing that I am very grateful for!

I have a cool new summertime writing space, which gives me a bird’s eye view and I couldn’t be more pleased with it.  So, how I view life and the nature of people who exist in it is coming to you from a new vantage point. One day I might even be led by the spirit to go out on a limb and write about something existentially profound. 

It is a good day to settle in and ponder what that even means!

 

Entering Into the Worlds of Others

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I want to enter into the world of L.M. Montgomery. She’s an author whose home and whole universe existed on Prince Edward Island in Canada, one of the places on my life’s “want to see list.” In her Green Gables books, Lucy Maude Montgomery’s imagined characters and her descriptions of an idyllic, bucolic real place opens up a view of tranquility and serenity not found in many places today. It is brought to her readers  through her apt, uncomplicated writing. I like her penchant for simplicity and wholesomeness found in life and nature. Fans of L.M. Montgomery return to her book series time and time again for escape.

Lucy Maude Montgomery mentions the good company she finds among her dreams and her visions which as a writer I can relate to through penning my cozy Neighbor to Neighbor fictional series which includes Sew the Heart and Heart of Community. Someday I’d like to bring book #3 to my readers but, my visions for my self-created community within those books keeps changing and as a writer I am mindful of the fact that the “words we use,  shapes the culture we create.”

 

It’s not what the world holds for you. It’s what you bring to it. ~ Lucy Maud Montgomery

Happy 150th Birthday, Lucy Maude Montgomery! You left the world a better place for your contributions to the literary world.

 

 

A Woman of Wisdom

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I am feeling most appreciative for time spent writing a memoir for an inspirational woman. As her memoirist, it was my duty to get at the heart of her life story and I hope I have adequately done so. There is a certain level of trust which goes along with this honor and privilege.

Yesterday one proof copy of the book arrived on my doorstep, which will give me one last chance to go over it before it goes to print. Hopefully, between myself and the editor, we have found all the oops between the dots and the dashes.

My client’s request for privacy is important to both of us, so the publication will not be sold in the market place, but, I’d like to give you a little insight into her story. So, I will share the summary which appears on the back cover.

My takeaway from her narrative is exactly as John Dewey stated it, “…education is life itself.” I gained insight into how very important it is to keep learning new things and growing throughout one’s lifetime.

 

Impressions of Community

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America’s love affair with it’s hometown communities still reigns in some places and I feel grateful and fortunate to be living in one town where I feel such a culture exists in this place.

Yesterday, two events took place in Bel Air, Maryland which celebrated the town’s 150 year history – a family fun run and an evening community choral concert for all ages. Anyone who wanted to enjoy could join in.

A song written especially for this year’s celebration of the Bel Air town anniversary called “A Special Place in my Heart,” as well as other American favorites, spirituals and Broadway favorites such as “Will the Circle be Unbroken”  and “Summer Time and the Living is Easy” all sung for decades now, were among the tunes of the warm evening. Voices Lifted, Concert #1 for the 2024 summer season was well-worth attending at the amphitheater in Shamrock Park. For the full listing of town sponsored concerts, visit the website.

 

 

 

 

 

Wisdom of the Arts

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Today’s blog is simply food for thought. Does it ever concern you that too few testimonies are written about about man’s search for meaning and about finding one’s way through creative endeavors?

If so, give a nudge of encouragement to others to express themselves artistically or imaginatively without regard to their own opinion about their ability.

Charlotte was Right!

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March is here. I can already feel a wellspring of creativity bubbling up. Before every next leap I’ve taken in this creative life of mine, I’ve known it because I awaken around 4 am every morning. My mind becomes active and I may as well settle into whatever it is that is brewing, write it down and complete the dialogue I am having with myself. Or occasionally I’ll dabble with paint. Trying to go back to sleep before daybreak is a lost cause.

I am grateful for even earlier than usual awakenings because to me that means spring is in the air and creative energy is stirring.

Charlotte Brontë was right when she said, “A ruffled mind makes a sleepless pillow.”